4.26.2010

giveaway #13

The three winners of the 3-in-1 Felted Baby Booties giveaway are:

Krystal who wrote, "The booties are so adorable! They seem like the perfect thing to knit up and then have ready when a baby gift giving occasion sneaks up on me... And I love the French Press slippers!"

Amy who posted, "They are ADORABLE! A classic! I hope I win!"

And, last but not least, Jodi who commented, "Super cute! Those are going to be great to give as baby shower gifts."

Congratulations to the three winners! You will be receiving a copy of the brand spankin' new pattern and a skein of Paton's Classic Wool in the color of your choice. Please send your mailing address and the color that you would like to receive to yarnonthehouse@gmail.com.

For those of you who did not win the 3-in-1 Felted Baby Booties giveaway, the pattern has been officially released today. Yay! Here is the link to the Ravelry page. Just like everyone has said, these are going to be a hit at the baby shower!

Now, onto this week's giveaway... Guess who's back!

Kate Oates has returned to host another great giveaway this week and answer some of the burning questions that you had for her last time. There were a lot of people that asked Kate questions about her design process, so Kate put together a wonderful blog post on her site that I think everyone needs to check out!! It goes in depth on the process and steps that Kate takes when putting together a pattern. Whew! It looks like it's a lot work to say the least. Kate also picked a handful of questions to answer from last time she was here and this is what she has to say:

Q: "Since you study political science, do you see yourself using your knitting talents for any community good or to change our world for the better?" asked by Napur

A: This question grabbed me because it sort of came up this past weekend while I was attending a political science conference! I don't see myself as anything particularly fancy, but I do believe in the power of human spirit, and the idea of "every little bit" helping. I was at lunch with one of my professors, and we were talking about my "knitting stuff" in general (and my personal struggle in determining where exactly my career path lies). I was really excited to share with her that during the February/March "Help for Haiti" effort, I had managed to raise several hundred dollars by donating a chunk of my pattern sales--that's more than I've ever been able to give during my grad school years! (Mostly because...let's face it, grad students are generally very broke and I am no exception). I've also been excited to donate some knit items to charity auctions, or when other knitter's share with me that they have had success with a donation based on one of my patterns. You know what else I think is special about knitting? I know when I'm working on a project, especially one that my children get to keep, I truly enjoy putting love into every stitch. Even though my boys are too young to consider or acknowledge that, loving a child is one of the most important contributions one can make in any community. So--when I'm writing a new pattern (especially one for children), I also like to think I'm helping someone (whether it be moms/grandmas/good friends or even strangers) love on a little one!

Q: "Beautiful pattern, Kate! Question for you, unrelated to knitting: what's the name of the dog in the photos on the Mary Swanson Vest Ravelry page? My first dog was a weimaraner named Sally!" asked by Liz

A: Ha! This dog is super cute and his name is Oliver. He is also an unbelievably good poser. He is my photographer's dog and on a whim, we brought him to the shoot with us. I have two dogs myself, a little Havanese named Lou-Belle and a big 90lb lab mix named Cooper. Neither are willing to stand/sit still for pictures :)

A: I had to answer this question because it totally cracked me up! Definitely DPNs. I have only tried Magic Loop once or twice. Also, I really enjoy the looks people give me in public when I am using DPNs. Its like I am a knitting goddess and they can't imagine how things are coming together. I would miss that too much were I to use Magic Loop.

Q: "Glad to hear that someone tries to complete one project at a time. Just curious what makes you sometimes start two or three?" asked by Jaime P

A: Most of the time, I start more than 1 if there are either multiple design projects with similar deadlines, or, if I need an easy project to carry with me. I don't generally do a lot of knitting for a new design unless I have decent concentration. But if I am sitting in the doctor's office, or watching my kids at the playground, I'll try to have something I can grab to work on that doesn't require me to be looking at it!

Q: "Kate -- do you drink your margaritas frozen or on the rocks?!?" asked by Lori

A: Frozen with salt! And I like to try many different flavors too.

Kate has also started a new thread in her Tottoppers Group on Ravelry for you to be able to ask her whatever your little heart desires. Hop on over there after you're done reading and entering this giveaway!

Kate has recently released her really cute Topped for a Year booklet. This booklet includes 12 super adorable hat patterns that you can knit up for all the little ones in your life - one for each month!

Kate has contributed TWO Topped for a Year professionally printed booklets for this giveaway. Each winner will also receive a skein of Berroco Comfort, which is enough yarn to make one (possibly even two) little Trail Caps (a fun Spring pattern featured in the booklet).

I would like you to do the following if you would like to be entered into this week's giveaway:

1) Have an address in the US to ship the yarn to. If you have a friend or relative that has a US mailing address who is willing to be your shipping sponsor, that will work as well. I will send it to them and they can then forward it on to you.

2) Post a comment on this blog post by the end of Sunday, 5/2/2010. Leave a nice comment for Kate to read. Tell her what you think of the new booklet.

3) Please post only one comment to give everyone a fair chance.

Again, I'll randomly pick the winners on Sunday and post the results on Monday along with the new giveaway, so be sure to check back. Good luck everyone.

I would so love to have this booklet! I have 4 nieces and nephews, and all of a sudden I'm expecting 5 more in the next couple of months, and am running out of quick and fun baby presents to knit up. I love baby hats because they are so cute and functional and you can really dress up your baby (which is important as it becomes your primary accessory once it arrives!)

What a fabulous giveaway! I absolutely love knitting hats. Especially for little ones. They are such a fun knit up, and go pretty quick. I am anxious to see Kate's booklet (patterns) and am looking forward to trying a couple. :o) Thanks Kate, and thanks, Ve!!

Kate -THanks agian for visitin us on Yarn on the House - love your toppers!I have an 11 yo who just loves hats - I've knitted her 4 diffrent ones this year btw - sometimes I mkae the toddler ones larger and sometimes the adult ones smaller.Have you ever thought of trying to design hats for older children/teens I find this is the hardest group to find great patterns for!

Luckily I have a beautiful goddaughter and cousins having babies that I can knit hats for all the time! So count me among your fans.

Oh wow! I LOVE hat patterns! I have been making hats for almost a year now...so addicted! =) I would love the opportunity to try these patterns! PS: I love frozen margarita's with salt too!Amanda Werlingamanda dot werling at gmail dot com

Those hats are so very cute! My children's friends are having babies and I have two adorable nieces who ask for something soft made just for them, so these would be perfect all around! Thank you for your generous give away.

The booket looks wonderful and the hats are absolutely adorable. I am so happy that there are designers that make my knitting caps for charity so much fun to knit and donate. This giveaway would provide a couple more. Would love to be able to pass them on.

Fabulous! With a newborn grandson and his 2 year old brother, plus lots of friends having babies, I've got some serious hat making to do and Kate's patterns are the ultimate in cute! Thanks for the wonderful give away. Let's see ... first the dino hat, then the cabled ear flap hat, then...

It seems that everyone is having babies (and that other babies are growing up so fast). Such a lovely pattern booklet would really help me keep up with those kids! Thanks again for such a great giveaway!!